2024 Rector's Report for AGM

THE RECTOR’S REPORT – 2024

A parish’s Annual General Meeting is an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened in our community the past year, an opportunity to be honest with ourselves about how we have lived. The Rector’s Report in particular should help us to consider both the grace that we have received, and what we have done with the time and resources and gifts of grace which God has given to us. What should we be thankful for? What should we repent of? This is also a time for discernment about the future, to gain some clarity of vision. How is God calling us to go deeper?

At last year’s Annual General Meeting, I made a clear commitment to you, the Parish of Trinity, to lead you in the renewal of our Church and its mission. I reminded us that, at its beginnings in the mid-1800s, Trinity had a robust sense of purpose, a raison d’être, which was to be a Christian mission to and amongst the poor. That mission is nothing else than our being and acting in the world in conformity to Christ our Lord: for although he was rich, yet he became poor for our sakes, so that we through his poverty might become rich (paraphrasing 2 Corinthians 8:9). As believers, therefore, our calling is to empty ourselves, to embrace the poverty of Christ, so that we and others might know the true riches God gives. To love, even as we have first been loved by the God who is Love: that is our parish’s only ministry and mission, by faith with thanksgiving, in obedience to Christ’s command.

As I pointed out, Christian ministry and mission is practiced through actual contact and encounters with the people around us. A parish Church must understand its mission as incarnating the Word where it is planted, through its worship, witness and service, among the people who dwell in the parish’s geographical bounds. For Trinity that means the surrounding neighbourhood of Fairview and Clayton Park is our mission field.

My promise to you a year ago was simple: I promised to lead you, as Rector, in the ministry and mission entrusted to us. I promised to be Christ to you, and to serve Christ in you and in our neighbours. I promised to offer myself sacrificially, to be broken and poured out for your sakes, so that you and this community might know ever more deeply the new, Resurrection Life that is given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My challenge to you was equally as simple: I asked you to follow me, following the Gospel of Christ. For the renewal of our Church cannot depend merely on the efforts of the ordained minister. I asked you to take responsibility for the ministry of Christ in this parish which you share with me. In response to God’s love for you, through the loving sacrifice of his only-begotten Son on the Cross, I asked you to offer yourselves as a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God. I asked you to become fellow-labourers with me in the Gospel, missionaries in the mission field that is our beloved parish. I also made a rather bold claim: unless we can recover a vital sense of our mission and purpose—witnessing to our surrounding community through lively, Bible-centred worship, being disciples of Jesus sent out into the world, proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed, giving and receiving the hospitality of Christ among our neighbours—unless we can deepen in faith and repentance, unless we can be renewed and reformed in this way, then there really is no reason for us as a parish Church to exist.

For the past year, I have tried to hold before us the urgency of this undertaking. In what sense is the recovery of our spirit of mission urgent? Primarily, the urgency of revitalizing our Church’s mission is the urgency of the Gospel itself. For God desires that all should be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). The urgency of the Gospel is that we ourselves should be evangelized, and in turn dare to proclaim God’s love to others. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). If preaching Christ crucified and risen is not a matter of utmost urgency—indeed, a matter of life and death—then I don’t know what is.

That task of proclaiming the Good News is one to which all of us are called, both the ordained minister and people alike. Everyone who has heard and received the saving Word of God is in some sense “sent,” and our commission is to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. But to evangelize all the world we must begin in our families, in our schools, in our places of work, in our friendships and neighbourly relations, in our immediate spheres of influence. Trinity is planted in a particular place which is our local parish—that is where our collective missionary efforts to proclaim God’s saving Word must begin. By God’s grace at work in and through us, our trust is that that divine Word shall not return empty.

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There are many signs of God’s grace—seeds sown, new growth, and fruit—that we can give thanks for this past year. Here I can provide only a sketch. I’ve organized the following according to our liturgical year.

Final days of Christmastide 2024

We started 2024 on January 1st by hosting a Christmas Open House, with cupcake decorating, board games, treats and hot drinks. The mood was festive and welcoming, and we had a great turn out from regular Trinity parishioners, folks from the neighbourhood, and parishioners from Living Hope Community Church who joined us. 

Epiphanytide

At the turn of the new year, Father Gary Thorne, having accepted my invitation, became our Honorary Assistant at Trinity. With his leadership and support in the parish, I began the year with a renewed sense of patience and zeal, and a clearer vision for what God was calling us to. At this same time, as the parish was deciding to reduce the Rector’s stipend to half-time equivalency, a donor generously arranged to contribute directly to my salary, so that I could devote myself without reserve to parish ministry at Trinity, growing our Church spiritually and numerically, to the glory of God. The guiding vision was that Trinity could again be renewed in strength as a flagship evangelical Anglican parish, a faithful witness to the Gospel so desperately needed in our neighbourhood and city, institutional church, and broader society.

In January, we welcomed Karis Tees, Will Barton, and little Everett to our parish family. Karis began to shepherd us in song as our newly hired Music Director, and Will began to bless us by his lay pastoral ministry, as he was appointed to Trinity for his winter term parish placement as part of his divinity studies.

On January 15th, we had the joy of being part of the Works of Robert Crouse book launch, celebrating the memory and legacy of this godly pastor, scholar, and contemplative who influenced so many. Our guest preacher was Rev’d Ross Hebb. We held a moving Evensong service, and afterwards hosted a beautiful banquet for over 110 people. Many thanks to Karis and the pick-up choir whose singing uplifted our worship

(including a rousing shape-note anthem, “Star in the East”), to David Manoharan and Amalin Ravi who put on the wonderful spread of South Indian food, and to Iona Taylor who brought together a team of servers and led them with grace.

In February, shortly after our AGM, I presented to our newly elected Parish Council a strategic plan to support the revitalization of our ministry and mission.

Lent and Eastertide

In spite of a snow storm on Shrove Tuesday, we had a wonderful turn out for our pancake supper. Many thanks to John Durnford and others who took care of all the cooking for this lovely event, which was attended by many of our neighbours.

In Lent, we gathered for Evening Prayer, followed by a well-attended parish Bible study on wilderness and paradise, “Images of Pilgrimage in Christian Spirituality.” We used as our guide to the Scriptures a little book of retreat addresses by Father Crouse. 

We had a most joyful and solemn Holy Week, which began with a splendid Palm Sunday procession through the Fairview neighbourhood. In our daily services throughout the week we heard the appointed Scriptures which led us through all four Gospel accounts of the Passion of Christ, to his glorious Resurrection on Easter Day. So much thought and

preparation went into our liturgical celebrations, and I want especially to thank the Chancel Guild for their attention to detail throughout this fulsome season of our year.

In March, I began walking through the neighbourhood, knocking on doors and introducing myself and Trinity, and sharing about our worship services and upcoming programs. I handed out flyers and put up posters.

In April and early May, we formed the Trinity Summer Outreach Team (TSOT), which consisted of Father Gary Thorne, Will Barton, Iona Taylor, Gabriel Hopkins, and me. Father Ross Hebb was also able to meet with us on numerous occasions, and helped us refine and maintain our focus. This ministry team prayed together, discerned what needed to be done, and supported one another in the leadership necessary to accomplish our parish’s ministry and mission, and especially our outreach in the neighbourhood. Iona was hired as our Summer Outreach Coordinator, and Gabriel as our Student Ministry Intern. Will, for his part, after the term of his official placement ended, continued ministering in the parish, and even increased to full-time capacity later in the summer as our Parish Visitor. All of these efforts were made financially possible by a combination of grants from government, charitable Christian organizations, private donors, and our parish’s designated missions fund. 

By mid-May, we were able to launch our new parish website. Many hours of work went into this, discussing design and functionality, gathering photos, and writing content. Thanks to David Manoharan who helped keep me on track, and who will be assisting me to maintain the site: www.trinitychurchhalifax.ca. 

In late May, my wife, Andrea, received a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, which was a return of the same stage 2 disease from 17 years ago. This impacted all of us at Trinity. I had to reevaluate how I was supporting and being present to my family while simultaneously giving myself wholeheartedly to the parish. This was a time of testing in the wilderness, a time of personal self-examination and clarification, as I sought to be faithful to my various vocations, as a husband, as a father, and as your Rector. I conveyed to Parish Council that this was an opportunity for the parish to support me and my family, and to take greater responsibility for our parish’s ministry. The parish as a whole responded with fervent prayer and more practical support for my family than we could have hoped for in this difficult time. For that generosity and care for our family, Andrea, Ellianna, Brendan, Seraphina and I are deeply grateful.

Bearing one another’s burdens, the TSOT continued refining our plans for outreach in the parish, and on May 22nd we launched our English tutoring program for children. As Coordinator, Iona developed and oversaw all aspects of the program. This has been for Trinity a wonderful opportunity to begin to know and love children and families in our surrounding community, many of whom are newcomers to Canada still in the process of settling here and learning to speak English. Even as the spring program ended in late June, we were already looking ahead to future sessions and the continuation of this new ministry initiative. 

Trinitytide

On Trinity Sunday, as is our custom, we held a festive celebration of our parish’s namesake Holy Day. Our liturgy drew us into the vision of God: “I saw, and behold, a door was opened in heaven . . .” and the heavenly host’s “worship [of] him that liveth for ever and ever” (Revelation 4:1, 10). Such is the vision which puts into proper perspective all that we do in this earthly life. 

In June, I began to co-teach (with the Rector of St George’s) a Catechism class for youth twice a month, which continued, with a few breaks, through the rest of the year. There has been a core group of 6 youths, with 2-3 others who have attended, from three different Anglican parishes in our Region. The teaching has followed the Catechism as found in our Book of Common Prayer, and our focus has always been to delve into understanding the Scriptural and doctrinal heart of the Catechism, so that our children might so learn Christ as to be found in him.

In July, we held two weeks of Vacation Bible School (VBS) day-camps. We had around 25 children attend both weeks of camp, which were coordinated by Iona, and supported by Gabriel and many other volunteers. The first week was entitled “In the Beginning,” on the creation story in opening books of Genesis; the second week was “I Believe,” on the Apostle’s Creed. Karis contributed musically by teaching the children a few hymns and spiritual songs in the Church, which they then offered as part of our Sunday worship following the week of camp. The VBS culminated in a convivial barbeque with all the children, their families, and our parishioners.

Will Barton’s work in June, July and August was devoted to visiting. He focused on home visits with parishioners, and connecting pastorally with all the parents and families who attended our English tutoring and VBS. He also set up two small-group Bible studies, which took place in parishioners’ homes. Going through several of the appointed Gospel readings in Trinity Season, these gatherings were times of study, prayer, Christian fellowship and sharing of hospitality; it was also an opportunity for parishioners simply to enjoy getting to know one another in a more intimate way.

In July and August, Father Thorne coordinated a summer film series, “Reel to Real,” in which we viewed and discussed seven powerful movies, and their portrayals of themes central to the Christian life. This was attended by up to 18 people on a given night. All were wonderful and thought-provoking films, but one that stood out as particularly apt for Trinity at this time was Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino, a movie about guilt and forgiveness, alienation and friendship, brokenness and healing, and the power of neighbourly hospitality to transform even the most hardened curmudgeon.

Especially starting in September, our parish has experienced a definite numerical growth, reflected in our attendance for Sunday morning worship, which returned for the first time to our pre-Covid numbers. This growth of our parish is due mostly to newcomers from the neighbourhood, and as Rector I have had the happy problem of struggling to keep up with meeting all the new people. The newcomers have so much to contribute to our common life in Christ, and we are truly blessed by them; the real challenge for us is to genuinely welcome them so that they can become integral and contributing members of our parish, and freely offer their gifts and ministry among us.

At this same time, Karis returned from her maternity leave (baby Madeleine was baptized at Trinity on the Eve of St Mary Magdalene!), and in earnest began building up our choir and music program. There was a joyful launch of the Trinity choir on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. That same Sunday we also welcomed back the children who were part of our VBS, and enjoyed a retrospective celebration of all our summer outreach ministry. We shared a lovely potluck, and heard excellent presentations by Iona, Gabriel, and Will, reflecting on the meaning and practice of spiritual community in Christ, and the important role of our parish’s witness to the Word of God in this neighbourhood. 

While Iona was no longer an employee of the parish in the fall, she agreed to continue coordinating our English tutoring as a volunteer. Our fall tutoring program for children ran from October 7th to December 9th. There were 18 children who participated, 8 tutors and numerous other volunteers who helped with snacks. Many thanks to Iona and all our volunteers, including many students from the University of King’s College. Gabriel similarly decided in the fall to continue worshiping at Trinity, and has assisted faithfully on Sundays at our morning service.

Advent and Christmas

In Advent, as usual in the penitential seasons, we held a special mid-week service of Evening Prayer, and heard from parishioners Max Russel, Annie Silvia, and Gabriel Hopkins, who gave stirring meditations on the Advent lessons. Following that service, the parish held a Bible study on the mystery of God Incarnate, focusing on John 1:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11, and 2 Corinthians 8:9. To guide our consideration of these Scriptures, we used a chapter of Knowing God, by the renowned Canadian Anglican theologian, of blessed memory, J.I. Packer. On December 14th, we held an Advent Quiet Day, with guest missioner Rev’d Greg McMullin. His talks were entitled “Holy Scriptures in Times of Exile: Messages from Daniel 1-3.” A highlight of our Advent preparation was our Sunday worship, in which we sang week by week the Taizé song, “O Poverty,” which enabled us to meditate deeply on the poverty of Christ, source of riches.

Our Christmas celebrations included a marvelous Nativity Pageant on Christmas Eve which was put on by the children of the parish (thanks to Andrea for organizing this), and we celebrated Christmas Day with Holy Communion followed by another South Indian feast (thanks to both Prabakaran and David and their families). Three families gathered to spread the Good News of our Saviour’s Birth by carolling in the Fairview neighbourhood on the Feast of St Stephen. Then on the Sunday after Christmas, we held an evening Family Festival of Christmas Lessons and Carols: it was a stunningly beautiful and profoundly moving service, with numerous folk songs and carols from around the world in different languages. Speaking from my own experience, I can honestly say that I found our celebration of Christmas at Trinity has never been so joyous and festive as it was this past year; and surely all our preparations, both spiritual and practical, contributed much to this. Surely we were also surprised by grace. 

* * *

As I hope you can see from my overview of last year, these many little miracles and blessings are signs of hope, signs of God’s Spirit of grace at work among us—and for that we must give thanks. There are so many other wonderful things, signs of turning, renewal and growth, other ministries and acts of service that we ought to affirm. This includes our community lunch, the Rector’s Rice Bowl, which has not only continued faithfully since March, but has increased in popularity, so that we now consistently have 40 to 60 or more people turn out. The Ladies’ Bible Study and the Men’s Breakfast have continued, thanks to the efforts of Susan Page and John Durnford. Our Sunday School has continued thanks especially to Andrea Lee, and it’s grown to accommodate toddlers with their own Little Lambs’ Church. You can read about these, and other ministries, in the other reports.

Whatever deepening of faith and repentance has taken place among us, all is to the glory of God and for the sake of his kingdom. Although it is a small and fragile beginning, I believe the renewal of our ministry and mission at Trinity has indeed begun, and we should give thanks to God for the ways he has blessed our sacrificial efforts to serve him.

But let us not be deceived. The enemy, the Devil, would seek to undo or undermine or bring to an end whatever good has been accomplished. The enemy would seek to turn us against ourselves, set our efforts in disarray, fragment our vision, and destroy our community. The enemy would seek to distract us, and turn us away from faithful obedience to our calling. Against such spiritual attacks we must be vigilant and constant in prayer. Evil can insidiously take hold within our own souls, so that we become half-hearted in our seeking after God, inattentive to his Word, careless in our devotion, or we make excuses not to love.

I want to give but one example. In spite of the remarkable growth we’ve experienced, we are still very far from financial sustainability. The congregational growth we’ve experienced has not to this point made a difference to our parish’s ability to change our bottom line, and the gap between our expenses and income widened predictably throughout the year. We did not grow stronger financially, and didn’t even manage to maintain the status quo: 2024’s total undesignated offerings actually decreased. Far from rebuilding our financial house, it’s currently burning, and has been burning down all year. Some might say it’s already reduced to rubble and ash. This financial crisis has been staring us in the face, but it seems to me we have not yet acknowledged it. Or at least our failure to take steps toward responsible action in response amounts to a denial of the problem. In other areas of our ministry we are seeing leaders in the parish willing to step up and serve. Yet our stewardship lacks leadership and vision. We have no strategic plan. Throughout last year there were no discussions about how we could or should change our financial situation. Helplessness and complacency seem fitting characterizations of our response, or lack thereof, to the financial crisis we’re in. 

Why is this? Is it because the enemy has convinced us that God will simply provide without demanding costly sacrifice on our part? Is it because we have fallen into despair about our finances, as if our fate is doomed, and there’s nothing we can do to change it? Is it because everyone in the parish is thinking that it’s “someone else’s” responsibility, but not mine? By whatever means, diabolical powers and principalities are intent to obstruct the renewal of Trinity in this regard.

I certainly don’t have the answers to all our challenges. But I do know how we as a parish community might make a good start towards acting with the sense of urgency that we all should be feeling. People who are reading this rather long report need to show up, to come and see. Come to our Sunday worship and gather with your Christian brothers and sisters to hear the Scriptures, to confess your sins and God’s praise. Come to prayer times during the week. Come to a Bible study. Come to volunteer for one of our ministries, or simply to be present at a parish event. Come to a conversation about spiritual development. Come to fellowship hour, and actually learn the names of people you sit beside in the service. Come to visit a neighbour who is in need. Come with a friend, take a risk, and try something new for the sake of Love. Come to meet and serve Christ in the face of our neighbours. We are invited by Christ himself to “come and see” where he dwells (John 1:39). Unless we heed the call of our Saviour to come and see, we shall lack the vision of God that alone can transform us into his likeness, from glory to glory.

Each and every one of our members is integral to our Church as a whole. Many, many people serve this parish quietly and humbly, in ways that are so important for the ongoing, daily functioning of our parish life. There are too many thanks which ought to be mentioned, and most of them I will have to omit. Thanks to Sharon Burrows, for her faithful service as our parish Office Secretary, and especially for her long-suffering and patience with me. Thanks to Evelyn Lewis, for her diligent service as our Treasurer. Thanks to David Manoharan, Chuck Brown, and Mike Shea, our Wardens, for their willingness to offer themselves sacrificially for the sake of our parish’s ministry. Thanks to Karis Tees, our Music Director, for the deep prayerfulness and spirited energy she has brought to our worship in song. Thanks to Father Thorne for his continued dedication to supporting Trinity and its evangelical Anglican legacy. Thanks to all who have contributed, in whatever ways you have, to our worship of God and the work of rebuilding his house of prayer.

Bless and forgive me. Pray for me.

Let us pray for one another, and for our parish.

To God be all thanks and glory.

Respectfully Submitted,

Rev’d Benjamin Lee